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Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Tribal Member Sentenced in Washington State to Two Years in Prison for Purchasing Firearms While Subject to Domestic Violence Protection Order

One of Weapons Purchased Illegally Later Used in
Marysville-Pilchuck School Shooting

The father of a teen who killed four students, severely
injured a fifth student and killed himself in October 2014 at
Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Washington State was sentenced today in U.S.
District Court in Seattle to two years in prison for six counts of illegal
firearms possession, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes of the Western
District of Washington.Raymond Lee
Fryberg Jr., 42, was convicted in September 2015 following a four day jury
trial.U.S. District Judge James L.
Robart imposed three years of supervised release to follow the prison term.

“Guns in the wrong hands are just plain wrong and will not
be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Hayes.“The Department of Justice has an ongoing commitment to prosecuting
firearms crimes.The goal is to enforce
our gun laws against those who pose a threat to public safety.Here the illegal possession of a firearm
played a devastating role in a community tragedy.”

“This case underscores our commitment to keep our federally
recognized Tribal communities safe,” said Special Agent in Charge Frank Montoya
Jr. of the FBI’s Seattle’s Division.“So
much tragedy stemmed from the actions of one person.I commend the resilience of the victim
families and the community that are working to move forward.”

According to records filed in the case and testimony at
trial, in 2002, Fryberg’s then-girlfriend asked the Tulalip Tribal Court for an
order of protection.The protection
order was made permanent in September 2002 and had no expiration date.In September 2012, Fryberg was back in tribal
court and pleaded “no contest” to violating the protection order.Fryberg was fined and placed on probation for
one year.Less than four months later,
Fryberg went to Cabela’s Sporting Goods store on the Tulalip reservation and
purchased a handgun, and, over subsequent months, four other firearms.Fryberg filled out forms for the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives stating that he was not the subject
of any court order restraining him from harassing, stalking, or threatening an
intimate partner or the child of a partner.The form states that anyone subject to such an order is prohibited from
purchasing a firearm.

According to testimony at trial, Fryberg purchased a
Beretta, Model PX4 Storm, in January, 2013.On Oct. 25, 2014, Fryberg’s son, Jaylen Fryberg, 15, used the illegally
purchased Beretta to kill four students and himself at Marysville-Pilchuck High
School in Marysville, Washington.Fryberg’s cousin was critically injured but survived.Jurors were not told of the connection
between Fryberg’s weapons and the school shooting.

The case was investigated by the FBI, and the Tulalip Tribal
Police Department.The case was
prosecuted by Assistant U.S.Attorneys
Ye-Ting Woo and Bruce Miyake.